Joseph let me clarify – How is small talk yarog val yaavor?
I assume bec “lo sikrivu…” acc to the poiskim includes any conduct that is of the nature of behavior that leads towards an actual aveirah. That conduct itself is included in the lav and thus is part of gilu arayos and yarog val yaavor.
If someone, through making neccesary conversation with someone of the opposite gender, did so in the fashion and tone of someone who was trying to engage in more than just business, that too could be yarog val yavor.
Small talk done in a strictly professional manner i assume would not be yarog val yaaavor.
You can argue that it makes more sense to suggest that ppl refrain from small talk because it is more likely to lead to questionable behavior than business talk.
However both could be yarog val yaavor and both could not be.
Even business talk is a potential slippery slope, yet it is mutar for parnassah. It is leicah darchah acharinah.
So too small talk as well may be neccessary.